Front view of my first Nixie clock. I built this clock as a Christmas present for my dad.
The tubes are Russian IN-8's I bought on eBay. The box was built by my grandfather (with a little help from me). The internal 12V -> 180V DC-DC switching power supply is based on a MAXIM 1771. The logic & control board uses an ATMEL AVR Mega168 SoC, a bunch of 74HC595s and a bunch of MMBTA92 high-voltage transistors. Timekeeping is via a Dallas DS3234 temperature-compensated RealTime Clock chip. The digit separators are good old NE2 neon discharge tubes. I also use those for the AM/PM/DATE back lights. The two switches on the front are used to toggle between time and date and to set the time and date if needed.
I used software PWM to give all the digits and accent lights cross-fade capability which ended up looking really nice. It's easy to just sit and stare at the clock while it quietly counts the seconds. :)
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Mad Scientist Light, bulbs off
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Mad Scientist Light, really low power
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Mad Scientist Light, low power
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Mad Scientist Light, medium power, overhead light off
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Mad Scientist Light, higher power, overhead light off
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Mad Scientist Light, mk II.
This is essentially a remake of the first, with some slight changes. I used a different style of dimmer which does not have a 'press on/off' switch in it. Turning the knob fully counter-clockwise turns off the power. This style dimmer is about half the price of the other type and works better with the vintage dial face and knob to boot!
This light was made as a Father's Day/Birthday gift for my dad.
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Mad Scientist Light, mk II turned up a tad.
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Mad Scientist Light, mk II control knob detail.
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Mad Scientist Light, mk II turned up a tad more. Please excuse my cluttered desk. :)
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